Admittedly I haven't been to concerned with my age, I know I'm getting towards the thirty mark which is a small step to the downward spiral of the thirty-somethings and the fourty-somethings. It's not like I've come to some mid-life crisis because well midlife is somewhere in the thirty-somethings and I haven't quite made it there yet.

However as I reach the last notch in the Twenty-Somethings, I realise all those things I haven't achieved, all those beliefs and comments that were unfounded. But what also creeps up upon me is the realisation of those younger than me might have those unfounded beliefs and comments, so much so that it antagonises me to be rude in return. I have to admit, I feel I'm getting old.

I realise I'm getting to the point where my reaction to the young is like the reactions I dealt with while young. I realise that 10 years of wastage caused by what some see as disorder (and others know to conspiracy) has eaten away at any accomplishments that I could have been apart of and in return I have the youth of today and their spetum.

"Oh whoa is me!, tales of old" -anon

I wonder if there are legitimate age-limits for accomplishments?
I know there is the 'create offspring' deadline based on human physiology, but what about the other stuff (IE- learning to read and write, marriage, graduating college, making your first million dollars, climbing Mount Everest, etc)?

Maybe this thread is an offshoot of the 'fear of death' thread

Having achieved the 'ripe' age of 36 I cannot really say I have achieved anything. Some things I did are seen by others as achievement, such as getting a PhD, a family, a medal for heroic deeds in developmental biology, but I don't see them that way. None of these things have cost me really that much effort. I guess I am just flowing through life. Not aiming for achievements.

I would say I am pretty young for this board, at a ripe 21. Accomplishments vary in degree to the person pursuing them. While getting a PhD may not seem like a big deal to spurious, it may be the dream of another person. I cannot say I will ever accomplish anything worthwhile unless my name ends up in the history books for a great achievement that none can match. In our tiny existence in this universe, at the end the only thing that really matters is how you live your life. I realize that unless I do something drastic and world changing, no one is going to remember I existed 100 years after my death, except perhaps a few relatives. The truly great achievers are the ones we are still reading about in history books, the ones who challenged the old and forged their own way through life, instead of sticking to the nicely paved roads laid before them.

Having achieved the 'ripe' age of 36 I cannot really say I have achieved anything. Some things I did are seen by others as achievement, such as getting a PhD, a family, a medal for heroic deeds in developmental biology, but I don't see them that way. None of these things have cost me really that much effort. I guess I am just flowing through life. Not aiming for achievements.

I guess ahievement is therefore subjective. Some may suggest that you feel that these things have not stretched you enough intellectually/creatively or been sufficiently rewarding. But maybe it is just that you put a greater value on something else?

I know the things I consider in my life as 'achievements' are much less to do with career or study and more to do with the conquering of certain fears.
And indeed as YOU do say achieving the ripe old age of 36:). An achievement dependant upon the circumstances of ones life.

........ The truly great achievers are the ones we are still reading about in history books, the ones who challenged the old and forged their own way through life, instead of sticking to the nicely paved roads laid before them.


Such as the tyrants, the serial killers.........;)

You can make your mark along the way, by initiating great change for the better in those that you meet. Is being remembered ot even appreciated really that important? Can you not achieve great things without doing it to such a great degree that you are written about for decades to come?

There are many greater scientists than Steven Hawking but he's the one with the best publicity because publicity is what he sought and attracted, it doesn't actually make him better or more outstanding than those who quietly create great change in our world without too much recognition or publicity.

I wonder if there are legitimate age-limits for accomplishments?



The older I become the more aware I am that the answer to this is no. The only restraints may be physical ones although I have known pensioners to water ski on one leg, parachute jump and ski dive, rock climb, do the splits. The only real restraints are poor health (which can strike at any age) and our self imposed limitations.

Publicity is a phenomenon associated with press. Back in the day, there was no press, one built their reputation on deeds. These great scientists who quietly forge our would SHOULD seek recognition, but you know not everyone wants that kind of attention, especially an intelligent introverted type. However if it was me that made a substantial discovery I would want every ounce of credit. And there at the opposite end of the spectrum we have people who are icons, who have no real talent at all (*cough* paris hilton *cough*). I suppose it is what you make it.

never fear, according to anti aging medicine our life span may stretch from 100-150 years in this lifetime.